HHC: What’s good Special Dark?
S.D.: Peace…

HHC: Special Dark give us some more insight to who you are?
S.D.: I’m a kat that truley LOVE the entertainment business & appreciate anyone that have the guts to get on stage to do what they do…

HHC: How did you get into DJ’ing?
S.D.: I was a Navy Brat partly rasied in San Diego.. My Father was single parent & needed something that would keep me @ home with no worries… That’s when I got my first set of turntables..

HHC: What club/clubs do you Dj at?
S.D.: I don’t have one set place.. I ride the wave… Been booked for special events hear & there Or promote my own shows…

HHC: How do you get/keep the crowd hyped?
S.D.: Play something they haven’t heard in a while & talk to them. Alot of DJ’s here don’t connect with the people..

HHC: Do you spin vinyl or cd’s?
S.D.: Both BUT tend to spin vinyl more. I think people still want to see the DJ going thru the crates.

HHC: What’s your favorite spot to get your music from?
S.D.: Urban Lights in St. Paul

HHC: Tell us about your radio show The session?
S.D.: The Session Mixx Show was designed to be a vehicle for unsigned artist …

HHC: How does your Radio show differ from those of Bigger stations?
S.D.:The Session Mixx Show is never the same.. It’s opens it’s doors to the people it caters to… I break records weekly.. The playlist is a month or so ahead of the top 40 listings.. I play the Newest music from all areas NOT just top 40.. When I say it’s new, it’s not a single from the album that was out for months. It’s new to the world. I broadcast online as well as in town. I have to stay current with the world… People gotta realize that there’s hott music that didn’t make top 40 list or the top 20 video list on B.E.T.. I make it hott. Don’t wait for others to tell me it is…

HHC: How involved is your show with the local scene?
S.D.: Very.. I promoted a talent showcase called “The Session “Live.” An extention of the radio show giving artist an oppurtunity to perform for an audience & have respected industry members give constructive critisim of there performance.. They even got a radio interview.. What they didn’t know is, everyone that has encounter me got a crash course in artist developement…

HHC: Give us some of your thoughts on the local Twin Cities Hip Hop Scene?
S.D.: There are some talented people here that don’t get the support needed.. Most of the quality artist don’t have the means to do the thing like it should be done & there are people that are capable of easing the stress of the unsigned BUT won’t..

HHC: How important do you think DJ’s are to the hip hop scene here?
S.D.: Very… But promoters don’t think so.. They want to give $50 dollars for 5 hours of standing on your feet & don’t forget, keep the crowd moving… Just to let kats know. The going rate for Top Radio & Club DJ’s (The Beatmasters, Mike Mack, Special Dark & Lazy T) is $100/hr. or more… Other kats R suppose to get $100-$200 a night..(depending on the duty)

HHC: Who are some of the people you have worked with on the scene?
S.D.: Tony Green – Liquid Ice,Travis – FGE, Tim Willson – Urban World/Urban Lights, Mike Mack, Hot Rod, Lazy T, Duddley D, Underground Music & Fashion, Golden, The Pharohs, Selfish, DC & AC – Rock Soild Ent., The Core, Trama, Guardians Of Balance, Frontline, Lady D, Melody Beats Ent. Kanser, Heirepecs, New Trendz, Moochy C, Protegee, Afro Preacha & Kim Steward, Nkem – So Addictive, Form=U=Luv, So Sick Ent…. Just To Name A Few..

HHC: Do you have any plans for a record label or anything like that?
S.D. Yep… I’m shopping for the best (national)distribution as we speak…

HHC: Have you ever put out any mixtapes/Albums?
S.D.: Yep… I have 2 of the Form=U=Luv Classics out there… The Darkroom Mixx Tape is coming soon…

HHC: Who are some of the other local Dj’s besides you that are doing there thing?
S.D.: The Beatmasters- (I like Dell Dilla’s style) Mike Mack, Lazy T, Stage 1, Verb X, Cheap Colonge, DJ Green, D-Mil, DJ Fabolous, DJ Francisco, Disco T, Dan Speaks, DJ Smooth, Cool Hands & DJ Moisture. (Not excluding others.. The names I mentioned are people I saw or heard in action)

HHC: What is your favorite venue in the twin cities?
S.D.: The Quest

HHC: What do you do besides DJ?
S.D.: Radio Personality, booking agent, Radio edit songs, produce performance sets & artist development..

HHC: Anything else you want to say?
S.D.: To The Promoters – You get what you pay for. You must give to get.. To the DJ’s – Peace… Evolution is the key… Don’t get trapped in a box… To the M.C.’s – Get @ me for a radio interview.. Let the world be the judge… If a kat in your crew is dead weight or negative, DROP THEM… To the people stuck on commercial radio – You’re @ least a month behind on music.. I know when you go to other cities, you notice they’re playing Hott songs you don’t hear @ home… Thanks to your mans.. You will be current on music…

HHC: Where can people get more info about you and listen to your show?
S.D: They can go to www.myspace.com/special_dark or thesession101@yahoo.com to contact me. The Session Mixx Show airs live Saturday Mornings 2am-6am 90.3FM Minneapolis, 106.7FM St.Paul & online www.kfai.org You can listen to the show anytime online by going to web site’s program archives..

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